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As American universities increasingly prioritize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, humanities and language programs, especially those focusing on less commonly taught languages, face a significant funding decline. This trend poses a serious threat to the continued existence of Southeast Asian language instruction in U.S. institutions. In this challenging landscape, the question arises: how can these programs not only survive but thrive?
This critical issue was at the heart of a recent roundtable discussion held as part of the AAS-in-Asia Conference 2024 events at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, from July 9-11. Chaired by Juliana Wijaya from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the discussion brought together leading figures in Southeast Asian language education to share insights and best practices for adapting to the changing educational landscape.
Panelists included Pia C. Arboleda from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, representing the Filipino language program; Sakti Suryani from Harvard University, representing the Indonesian language program; Jenjit Gasigitamrong from the University of California, representing the Thai language program; and Thúy Tranviet from Cornell University, representing the Vietnamese language program.
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was the importance of proactive marketing and outreach. Pia C. Arboleda emphasized the need to effectively “sell” language programs, akin to marketing a product. Strategies such as showcasing student success stories through testimonials and engaging with high schools through presentations and workshops were identified as crucial for countering declining enrollment often seen in humanities programs.
However, attracting students is just the first step. Sakti Suryani highlighted the importance of adapting lesson plans and content to meet students’ interests and current proficiency levels. She emphasized engaging students by asking what they want to learn, which fosters greater involvement and caters to specific needs. Suryani also suggested collaborating with Indonesian student associations and the broader Indonesian community to create real-world connections for students and provide opportunities for cultural exchange.
The discussion also highlighted the significance of heritage learners—students with a family background in a particular language. Jenjit Gasigitamrong shared experiences from the Thai language program, which primarily attracts Thai-American students pursuing STEM fields. Recognizing their cultural heritage, Gasigitamrong stressed the importance of incorporating elements like food, art, and cultural practices into the curriculum. Additionally, encouraging students to use the language to discuss their STEM studies helps them connect more deeply with their heritage and highlights the value of Southeast Asian languages in broader academic contexts.
The transformative power of project-based learning was another focal point. Thúy Tranviet championed this approach, emphasizing its role in allowing students to immerse themselves in the language through practical application, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the culture. Tranviet shared a unique example where Vietnamese students visited Thailand, demonstrating the potential of language learning to bridge cultural divides and foster regional understanding. This approach transcends traditional language learning, offering enriching experiences across academic disciplines and fostering meaningful connections.
The roundtable concluded with a renewed sense of optimism for the future of Southeast Asian language programs. By embracing adaptability, fostering a culture of collaboration, and utilizing innovative teaching methods like project-based learning, these programs can not only survive but thrive. The concept of “border crossing” was highlighted, extending beyond geographical boundaries to encompass collaboration with STEM fields and other disciplines. By demonstrating the versatility and relevance of Southeast Asian languages in today’s world, these programs empower students to navigate a globalized landscape and bridge cultural divides. This holistic approach positions Southeast Asian languages as valuable tools for future generations, enabling meaningful engagement with the world.
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On Saturday (15/6/2024), students of English Literature Study Program batch 2023 held a theater performance and exhibition with the theme “Ru(me)nation” which was held at Soegondo Building 7th floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. The theater performance entitled Carol ad Caroline and the exhibition entitled 1001: One Frame, A Thousand Pictures is a part of their final project that must be fulfilled in the Language and Literature Production course. The event was organized by all students of English Literature UGM class of 2023 and attended by lecturers, students, parents of students of English Literature UGM, and also by the public.
This event aims to improve students’ ability to work in the use of English, increase students’ appreciation of art and literature, and develop students’ talents, potential, and soft skills. The benefits of this activity are no other than equipping students with non-technical skills in terms of organizing and running events, improving their ability to use English in oral and written form in academic and non-academic environments, and enriching students’ knowledge in their artwork appreciation and self-confidence through artwork production.
The event was opened with much enthusiasm by the host, followed by a warm welcome by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum. and Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed. as the lecturer of the course. In the welcome speech, Mrs. Alvanita mentioned that the students have been practicing for months in order to present this theater performance to the whole audience.
Welcoming remarks from Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum. (left) and Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed. (right)
The theme of the theater performance was a topic related to mental health and self-acceptance, which is no longer out of place, especially among fellow students. This performance is expected to open a broader perspective to the audience, the committee, and the actors on the issue of mental health. This performance is also a picture and a reminder to be fully accepting of ourselves and loving it by being gentle to our own selves and hearts.
The event ended with a standing ovation as the audience stood up in appreciation of the spectacular performance. After this point, all the committee and performers danced together with lively music while the host read out the names of the committee and performers involved. Not to forget, all 2023 students of the UGM English Literature Study Program expressed their gratitude for the enthusiasm and participation of the audience in the success of the event.
On Wednesday, 18 July 2024, english Department UGM received a visit from Prof. Angus James Nicholls, Ph.D, professor of Comparative Literature and German Language of Queen Mary University of London and Dr. Soe Tjen Marching, a lecturer in South East Asian studies in School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London. The purpose of Prof. Angus James Nicholls, Ph.D and Dr. Soe Tjen Marching’s visit was to discuss a possibility of partnership between the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, especially the English Literature Program and Department of Language and Literature, with Queen Mary University of London and SOAS University of London to fulfil IKU 6. The discussion was conducted at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, led by Dr. Nur Saktiningrum, M.Hum., Vice Dean of Academic and Student Affairs and a lecturer in the English Department UGM.
The topic regarding the challenges of teaching literature in the era of technological development was discussed in the meeting. One of the challenges is how to anticipate the use of AI in literary studies. AI’s ability to automatically generate text can be an obstacle in the learning process if being abused by students. Another example of the challenges is how to teach literature to Gen Z, through digital media and social media.
Apart from the discussion about challenges in teaching literature in the current era, there was also a discussion about the forms of collaboration that can be implemented between the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, especially the English Literature Program and Department of Language and Literature, with Queen Mary University of London and SOAS University of London. The potential collaborations can be done through some courses (such as World Literature and Comparative Literature) and a collaborative class in the form of team teaching. These collaborations have many possibilities to be developed in the future.read more
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Bulan Churniati, an English Department student batch 2021, achieved the Penghargaan Favorit Pemilihan Mahasiswa Berprestasi UGM 2024 awards on Pemilihan Mahasiswa Berprestasi UGM 2024 event. Before receiving this award, Bulan accomplished many achievements, for example, the winner of Digital Entrepreneurship Hackathon 2023 by held UNESCO UNITWIN in South Korea, the third place in the national competition Publicly Digital Legal Innovation 2023 held by Oleco, dan became the ambassador of Millennial KAMI Foundation x Tjorak Sorai 2023.
Bulan is committed to give her best efforts in everything she does. This strong determination stems from her will to partake in women empowerment.
“Wong wedok ora usah melu-melu, which means: women are not supposed to intervene. That saying is embedded in my heart and mind. This is the reason I participate in prestigious awards and build a branding around this issue. I just want other women to realize that new opportunities are available to us, and I hope those women will use those chances. I do not want to be the only woman who fights for this, I want to join forces with other women as well.” Said Bulan about her motivation to participate in Pemilihan Mahasiswa Berprestasi UGM 2024.
Bulan went through a long process to prepare herself for participating in this event. The first step she had to undergo was the administration selection. She had to prepare three things on this stage. First, an English proficiency certificate. If the participant does not have an English proficiency certificate yet, they will be facilitated to take the AcEPT test if they pass to the next stage. Second, list of achievements. The limited number of achievements to be included in the list is ten, so the participant should select the best achievements they have. Third, an innovation proposal. In this event, Bulan wrote a proposal titled “In-Eksklusif: Program Peningkatan Kesempatan Eksklusif untuk Pelaku Ekonomi Inklusif”, a program to increase exclusive opportunities for inclusive businesses. This proposal correlates with Bulan’s IT background and humanistic perspective.
In the faculty selection, the participant will present their ideas and answer questions from the juries in a 30-minute session. One student will be granted the award of Mahasiswa Berprestasi Utama and represent the faculty in the Supercamp event, where they will present their list of achievements and innovation proposals. In this event, the committee will select three winners for three categories: bachelor program, diploma program, and favorite.
Bulan gained valuable insights after participating in Pemilihan Mahasiswa Berprestasi UGM 2024, “We have to prepare ourselves to be let down by the results if we are participating in competition. We also have to make sure that we have adequate experiences.”
After winning the Penghargaan Favorit Pemilihan Mahasiswa Berprestasi UGM 2024 award, Bulan went back to her daily routine. She is currently working on her thesis, while also still participating in many competitions and positive activities. Bulan said she still wants to try competing in this event, if she has not graduated next year. She also encouraged other students to participate in the Pemilihan Mahasiswa Berprestasi UGM event, “For other students in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, don’t be afraid to send your application! There are not many students in our faculty who are willing to participate in this event. Don’t forget to prepare all the documents early because of the short period of the submission. Always be humble, because being a Mahasiswa Berprestasi doesn’t transform you into the student with the highest position; you are just a representative.”
Two representatives of English Department UGM: Alvanita, M. Ed. and Paris Mercurio visited MA Al Ikhlas Berbah on Saturday, 11 March 2024. This event is a part of community services conducted by English Department UGM. Headmistress of MA Al Ikhlas Berbah, Ika Bude Lestari, S.Pd., gave a warm welcoming speech in the beginning of the event. Afterwards, the presentation and Q&A sessions began.
In the presentation session, Alvanita, M.Ed. motivated the students to learn English. She highlighted how important it is to be proficient in English, especially if one wants to pursue higher education or professional careers. She also gave the students tips on learning English outside the class. The second presenter, Paris Mercurio told the students about her experiences living in the United States. She gave the students tips to overcome their nervousness when using English in conversations. The students, who were shy to respond at the presentation session, gradually became more engaged throughout the Q&A session.
Students and teachers of MA Al-Ikhlas Berbah responded positively towards the event, sharing their opinions that other programs to increase students’ interest in learning English should be conducted again in the future. The urgency of conducting those programs is due to low frequency of English learning in rural areas like Berbah, which is affected by the existing presumption of the lack of urgency to be proficient in English.
Alvanita, M.Ed. discussed the continuation of this program with the English teacher of MA Al-Ikhlas Berbah (Ervina Juli Aryani) after the event. One of the proposed activities is increasing English literacy through reading literature works. Every week, the students will read English short stories and write their reviews. Afterwards, an offline discussion monitored by Alvanita, M.Ed. and Ms. Ervina will be conducted every one or two months in order to track the students’ progress in learning English.
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